Nectarine tree named: ‘Cascade’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.   2. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   3. Heavy and regular production of fruit.   4. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and storage quality.   5. Fruit with a high degree of attractive red skin color.

Botanical description: Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of nectarine tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of nectarine trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Honey Royale’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,008), ‘May Grand’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794), ‘Ruby Gold’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,101) and ‘Early Sungrand’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,420).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a first generation cross between a proprietary selected nectarine seedling with field identification number ‘32RB351’ and ‘Honey Royale’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,008). The maternal parent (32R351) was developed from crosses between selected proprietary nectarine seedlings that originated from the following varieties ‘May Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794), ‘Ruby Gold’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,101) and ‘Early Sungrand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,420). The pollen originated from the commercial nectarine ‘Honey Royale’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,008). We planted and maintained a large group of these first generation seedlings on their own root system and under close and careful observation, we recognized the desirable fruit characteristics of the present variety and selected it in 1998 for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large size, firm, yellow flesh, freestone fruit with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor and excellent eating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having an attractive red skin color, firm flesh, with fruit holding firm on the tree 8 to 10 days after maturity, being relatively uniform in size and maturity throughout the tree and having good handling and shipping quality. The tree having a winter chilling requirement of approximately 850 hours at or below 45° F. In comparison to its maternal proprietary nectarine parent (32RB351), the fruit of the new variety has firmer flesh with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor compared to acidic and is approximately 5 days later in maturity. In comparison to its pollen parent, ‘Honey Royale’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,008), the flesh of the new variety is similar in flavor and eating quality and is approximately 24 days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new nectarine variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of nectarine tree, 6 years of age, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, normal for nectarine trees. Pruned to 3 to 3.5             meters in height for economical harvesting of fruit. Average             spread 3 meters, varies with different cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height             the first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility,             climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, normal thinning and spacing of             fruit necessary for desired market size fruit. Fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during bloom period.         -   Bearer.—Regular. Adequate fruit set 4 consecutive years. No             alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self fertile.         -   Density.—Medium dense. Pruning to vase shape desirable for             sunlight penetration to enhance fruit color and health of             fruit wood.         -   Hardiness.—Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Hardy in all             stone fruit growing areas of California. Winter chilling             requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45° F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 45.7 cm at 27.9             cm above ground on a 6 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/2 to 5.5Y 6/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium, normal for nectarine trees. Average             circumference 23.3 cm at 1.2 meters above ground. Crotch             angle approximately 35°, increases with crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth smooth, becoming rough with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 25 in a 25.8 square cm area.             Average length 3.9 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color varies             from 5YR 5/10 to 7.5YR 6/10.         -   Colors.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 4/4. Old             growth varies from 5YR 3/4 to 7.5YR 3/4, varies with age of             growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 143.7 mm. Average width 44.7 mm.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower             surface relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation, glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 10.3 mm. Average width 1.8 mm. Color             varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/4. Longitudinally grooved.             Surface — glabrous.         -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — large. Average length             1.4 mm. Average diameter 1.1 mm. Average number 2, varies             from 1 to 4. Located primarily on base of leaf blade and             upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY             4/4.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 2.5GY 3/4 to 2.5GY 3/2.             Lower surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/4. Midvein color             varies from 2.5GY 6/4 to 5GY 6/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 17.5 mm. Average diameter 9.4             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winter climates             in stone fruit growing areas. Grown in USDA Hardiness Zone             9.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.3 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/10. -   Flowers:     -   -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 20.6 mm. Average diameter             39.7 mm.         -   Petals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Form —             orbicular, apex rounded, base narrows at point of             attachment. Average length 21.5 mm. Average width 22.5 mm.             Margin — sinuate, slightly cupped. Both upper and lower             surfaces glabrous. Color varies from 5RP 8/6 to 7.5RP 8/6.         -   Sepals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to petals. Shape —             ovate, apex rounded. Average length 5.6 mm. Average width             5.1 mm. Upper surface glabrous. Lower surface pubescent.             Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Lower             surface varies from 2.5R 3/4 to 5R 2/6.         -   Stamens.—Average number 44 per flower. Average filament             length 15.5 mm. Filament color varies from N 9.5/ (white) to             5RP 9/2, darkens with age. Anther color varies from 5R 4/8             to 7.5R 4/12.         -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/10 to 5Y             7/10.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average             length 19.3 mm. Position of stigma average of 1.3 mm above             anthers. Color varies from 2.5GY 9/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Slight to moderate fragrance, varies with age of             flower.         -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 27, 2005. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 10, 2005, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/8.         -   Number of flowers per flower bud.—One.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.5 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color             varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 5/6. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.         -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 5, 2005.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 11, 2005, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 66.6 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 67.7 mm. Average weight 170.4             grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse, varies from round to slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 6.8 mm. Average diameter 17.0 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Small. Average length 7.7 mm. Average diameter 3.8 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to most commercial nectarine             varieties.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Excellent.         -   Flavor.—Excellent, mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Brix.—Average 13.2°, varies slightly with amount of fruit             per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 7/6 to 5Y 8/8 with 2.5R 3/10 bleeding             into flesh from pit cavity. Pit cavity color varies from 5R             3/10 to 7/5R 3/10. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Down.—Wanting.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 8/10 to 5Y 7/6. Nearly             overspread with color varying from 5R 3/8 to 7.5R 3/10.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—None. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Freestone.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 38.2 mm. Average width 26.5 mm.             Average thickness 21.1 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—Usually rounded, varies from rounded to flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 4.6 mm.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, with one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Several high, narrow ridges extending from base             toward apex, one ridge on each side of suture.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5YR 3/4 to 5YR 3/6, when dry. -   Kernal:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Taste.—Bitter.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 19.1 mm. Average width 11.4 mm.             Average thickness 6.8 mm.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 8.5/6 to 5Y 8/6 when dry. -   Use: Dessert.     -   -   Market.—local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks at 38° to     42° F. without internal breakdown or appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh     during picking and packing trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, California, no particular plant/fruit disease     resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or     selection observed during indexing of plant characteristics with     abnormal fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is     destroyed. and eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous, upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of large, yellow flesh, freestone fruit, having a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with excellent eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its attractive red skin color, having firm flesh with good shipping and storage quality and in comparison to the fruit of its proprietary maternal parent (32RB351), the new variety has flesh with a mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor compared to acidic type flesh and is approximately 5 days later in maturity. 